Slump in fuel sales drives high street pain

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Petrol stations sold a billion litres less fuel last winter than before the
recession struck as the economic downturn and record fuel prices forced
motorists to leave the car at home.

Those who have been unable to reduce their mileage, such as drivers in rural
areas and shift workers, have cut back on their discretionary spending
instead, dealing a blow to struggling high street retailers.

As supermarkets and oil companies wage a price war to attract drivers to their
outlets, up to 500 independent petrol stations are going out of business
every year, hitting jobs and depriving villages of convenience